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Monday, March 30, 2015

A Wonderful Addition To Our Medical Kit

Ah, the joys of getting older! Things really start changing in your body and every time you go to the doctor you learn more and more about weird numbers you need to keep track of. Sometimes it can be daunting to keep track of them.

But what is a Finger Pulse Oximeter? Well, a pulse oximeter is a medical device that indirectly monitors the oxygen saturation of a patient's blood (as opposed to measuring oxygen saturation directly through a blood sample) and changes in blood volume in the skin, producing a photoplethysmogram (making a picture of the changes electronically).

But why would you want to keep track of your pulse and the oxygen saturation level in your blood? Simply put, it can show you how well you really are or aren't. If your oxygen saturation level falls below 90% there could be some serious problems with your health and you should seek a doctor. It could mean you are not getting enough oxygen to your brain which can cause any number of problems to your health. Of course knowing your pulse rate is very beneficial when it comes to health and exercise.

When using the oximeter the larger number at the top is the oxygen saturation level and the number at the bottom is the pulse rate. My numbers weren't bad for the oxygen level (should be between 95%-99%), but my pulse was a little higher than it should be, but then I just walked from one end of the house to the other. For me the top level is my biggest concern. Since having a stroke a few years back, my doctor has been concerned about how much oxygen is getting to my brain all the time. It's a concern for anyone who has had a stroke or COPD or other lung diseases. There have been a few days where my number did not get higher than 92 and I was very light headed and woozy. Something I need to be careful of! Low numbers could indicate a clot blocking my arteries.

Lot of other people need to keep track of their pulse rate and oxygen saturation levels. Having a Finger Pulse Oximeter is a good idea for any complete emergency kit and it is well worth the money.